Chase waives most checking account fees if you meet one of three conditions: keep a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or maintain a linked savings account with a minimum balance

Chase does not charge monthly maintenance fees on most checking accounts if you avoid the conditions that trigger them. The fee itself—usually $12 per month on a standard account—only appears if you fall below the minimum balance requirement and have not set up direct deposit. The easiest path is to keep enough money in the account, but Chase offers two other routes that work even with a low balance.

Which method works for you depends on your situation. If you receive a paycheck by direct deposit, that alone stops the fee. If you do not, you need either $500 to $1,500 in the account (the amount varies by account type) or a linked savings account with $300 to $500. Many people use a combination—direct deposit plus a small balance—to make sure the fee never appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking accounts charge a monthly fee only if your balance falls below the minimum and you have not set up direct deposit.
  • Direct deposit from an employer or government benefit is the most reliable way to waive the fee, because it works regardless of your account balance.
  • If direct deposit is not an option, keeping $500 to $1,500 in the account (depending on account type) will waive the fee.
  • A linked Chase savings account with $300 to $500 can also waive the checking fee, even if your checking balance is low.
  • The fee waiver conditions are set when you open the account but can be changed later through your online banking or by calling Chase.

Understanding which Chase checking account you have

Chase offers several checking accounts, and the fee waiver rules differ slightly between them. The most common is the Chase Total Checking account, which charges $12 per month if you do not meet one of the waiver conditions. Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and has higher minimum balance requirements. Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance, but only for customers under 25.

You can find your account type by logging into Chase online banking, opening the account details, or calling Chase at 1-800-935-9935. The account name appears on your statements and in the account summary. Knowing which account you have matters because a $500 minimum balance waives the fee on Total Checking but not on Premier Plus, which requires $1,500.

Setting up direct deposit to waive the fee

Direct deposit is the most straightforward fee waiver because it requires no minimum balance and works automatically once it is set up. You need to arrange for your employer, government agency, or other income source to deposit money directly into your Chase account. This can be a paycheck, Social Security, unemployment benefits, pension, or any regular deposit from an employer or government program.

To set up direct deposit, ask your employer's payroll department or benefits administrator for a direct deposit form. You will need to provide your Chase account number and routing number (1010 for most Chase accounts, though some branches use different numbers—check your statement or call Chase to confirm). Once your employer has the information, direct deposits usually begin within one or two pay cycles. Chase counts any direct deposit, regardless of amount, so even a small regular deposit from a side job or benefit will waive the fee.

If you receive Social Security, unemployment, or a government benefit, you can set up direct deposit through the benefit program's website or by calling the agency. The Social Security Administration, for example, lets you set up direct deposit at ssa.gov without visiting an office.

Maintaining a minimum balance in checking

If direct deposit is not an option, you can waive the fee by keeping a minimum balance in the checking account itself. For Chase Total Checking, the minimum is $500. For Premier Plus Checking, it is $1,500. The balance is measured at the end of each day, so you need to keep at least that amount in the account at all times—even one day below the threshold can trigger the fee for that month.

This method works if you have savings you can keep in the account, but it ties up money that could earn interest elsewhere. If you have $500 sitting in a checking account earning no interest, you are losing money compared to keeping it in a savings account or money market account. For this reason, most people use this method only as a backup if direct deposit is not available.

Using a linked savings account to waive the fee

Chase will waive the checking account fee if you maintain a linked savings account with a minimum balance. For Total Checking, you need $300 in a linked savings account. For Premier Plus Checking, the requirement is $500. The savings account must be in your name and linked to the checking account through Chase online banking.

This option works well if you are already saving money and want to keep it separate from your checking account. The savings account earns interest (though Chase savings rates are typically low), and the balance counts toward waiving the checking fee. You can link the accounts yourself through Chase online banking under "Account Services" or "Settings," or call Chase to set up the link.

One important detail: the savings account balance must meet the minimum on the same day the checking account is measured. If your savings account dips below $300 on the last day of the month and your checking account is also below $500, you will be charged the fee. Many people keep a small buffer above the minimum to avoid this.

Removing or changing fee waiver conditions

If you have set up a fee waiver condition and want to change it—for example, switching from a minimum balance to direct deposit—you can do this through Chase online banking or by calling 1-800-935-9935. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for "Account Features" or "Fee Waiver Options." You can also visit a Chase branch in person and ask a banker to update your account.

Changes usually take effect within one to two business days. If you are switching from a minimum balance waiver to direct deposit, make sure direct deposit is actually set up and has posted at least once before you withdraw the balance, or you will lose the fee waiver protection.

What happens if you miss a fee waiver condition

If your balance falls below the minimum, direct deposit stops, and your linked savings account dips below the required amount all in the same month, Chase will charge the monthly maintenance fee. The fee appears as a debit on your statement, usually on the last day of the month or the first day of the next month.

If you notice the fee has been charged, you can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask for a one-time reversal, especially if it is your first time. Chase does not have a formal policy on reversals, but many customers report success, particularly if they have been with the bank for a while or have other accounts. A reversal is not may provide, but it is worth asking. After a reversal, make sure to set up a fee waiver condition so it does not happen again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does direct deposit have to be from my job, or can it be from anywhere?

Direct deposit can come from an employer, government agency, or any organization that offers electronic deposits. Social Security, unemployment benefits, pension payments, and regular transfers from another bank all count. The amount does not matter—even a $1 monthly deposit will waive the fee.

If I have direct deposit set up, do I still need to keep a minimum balance?

No. Direct deposit alone waives the fee, regardless of your checking account balance. You can have $0 in the account and still avoid the monthly fee as long as direct deposit is active and posting regularly.

Can I use the same savings account to waive fees on multiple checking accounts?

No. A savings account can only be linked to one checking account for fee waiver purposes. If you have multiple Chase checking accounts, each one needs its own linked savings account or its own direct deposit arrangement.

What if my employer uses a payroll service that does not support Chase?

Most payroll services support all major banks, including Chase. If yours does not, ask your payroll department to contact the service provider. If direct deposit truly is not possible, use the minimum balance or linked savings account method instead.

Does the minimum balance need to be in the checking account, or can some of it be in savings?

The minimum balance for the checking account fee waiver must be in the checking account itself. A linked savings account has its own separate minimum balance requirement. You cannot combine the two—the checking balance and savings balance are measured independently.